Natasha Williams

Excerpts from an Interview with the Designer

Recorded on: March 8 2023

Tell me about your collection!

So my collection is mainly circus inspired. But then with a Rococo addition to it. It’s a play on the past but as if the “freaks” in the circus were aristocrats in the late 18th century.

What kinds of colors are you planning to use?

It's circus, it's Rococo, there’s certain colors that are quintessential of the time or the place. But it's my first collection! That means, I get to choose my favorite colors. It's my favorite color, but I don't know if it really has a name. It's in the jewel tone family, a blue-green, deep blue green teal, red, and a lighter mauve pink.

Where are you at right now in terms of progress?

Um, I almost have two mock-ups done. Every step of the way. I'm thinking, “hmm, how do I add more”. I just like everything to be over the top. The Rococo is the embodiment of my style: the kitschiness and the volume. I just feel like the circus is so fun. It’s playful, but it can also be sexy.

How did you come to this idea?

It started out originally with me wanting to do something based on clowns. I don’t particularly like clowns, but I like feminine clowns: beautified, elegant ones, with volume and tulle. And then it transformed over time into what I have now. I knew I wanted the bows, the frills, the volume, and kitschiness. 

How would you define kitshiness?

I'd say it's dramatic, childish, with fun colors and patterns, dollhouse vibes.

What challenges have you been experiencing so far?

Construction is not my strong suit. In the realm of exactly what I want to do, I have a “too much” gene. I tend to get a little too over my head, and I want to have like all the cute little pieces that tie it all together. Am I gonna have time for that? I don’t know.

What fabrics have you been working with?

Actually, I would say that I struggle the most with fabric. I see the vision in my head, and then the connection to fabric is difficult. How? Which one? Silks, velvet, prints, cotton prints. Lots of laces, bows, things like that.

Is there any media that you relate with your collection?

When I was trying to explain my concept to my parents, I really couldn’t figure out how to tie the two together. And then I thought of the Bratz live action movie, which was one of my favorites growing up. One of the girls in the movie, her mom’s a caterer, and they do a big sweet sixteen party for the mean girl. All of the servers can’t show up, and so then all of the Bratz, they have to be servers, and they get put in these ugly clown costumes. But then the fashion design girl cuts them up and makes them look cute. It was the first picture I saved on my pinterest, because that was the moment when it finally connected in my head.